Lee Buffaloe Keefer

Margaret Lee Buffaloe Keefer, 75, passed away peacefully at her home in Raleigh, N.C. on August 11, 2026 with her loving family beside her. She held a deep,abiding faith in God, and lived a life in Christian service freely giving to others with a willing and cheerful heart.

Born on July 4, 1951 in Columbia, South Carolina, Lee was the eldest daughter of Edna Lee Edmundson, an elementary school teacher in the Raleigh Public School system, and James Fletcher Buffaloe, a WWII and N.C. National Guard Army veteran, who worked with the N.C. Civil Defense Department. Both her parents

predeceased her.

Lee spent her childhood, and grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina where she graduated from Needham B. Broughton High School. She was a recreational therapist at Dorothea Dix Hospital for many years. Lee, also, was a medical secretary for several prominent Raleigh physicians, and later retired from being amedical secretary at N.C. State University's Medical Center.

Lee is survived by her loving and devoted partner of 40 years, Vern Hedeen. He was her constant guide and companion, most especially after her stroke 25 years ago. He, and their cat, Mia, will deeply miss her presence in their lives. Lee is also survived by her beloved son, Redstone Test Center Military Deputy Lt. Col. Zach

Keefer, his wife, Becky, and Lee's cherished grandchildren Ella, Bodie, Brynne, Andrew and Reagan of Madison, Al. Lee will especially be missed by her sister, Katharine Buffaloe Harris, husband, Jim, and her only niece, Mary Kate Harris, of

Pomona, NY. She leaves behind her cousin, Warren Cuddington, his wife, Marsha, of Emmaus, PA, as well as other extended family and friends.

She was a dedicated member of the Captain Samuel A. Ashe Chapter, of the UDC's North Carolina Division and, over the years, contributed to several historically based restoration projects in the Raleigh area.

Lee loved all animals and was a North Carolina State licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator who specialized in saving injured and orphaned squirrels. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations may be made to Raleigh's Wildlife Welfare online at https://wildlifewelfare.org or to an animal rescue of your own

choosing. A private family ceremony will be held, at a later date, at the Historic Oakwood Cemetery.